Hi everyone! I’m so glad you’re here! I’m thrilled (and nervous) to share with you the working title of my book-in-progress….
PATHOLOGICALLY GRATEFUL: A memoir and manifesto.
My book is an ode to mothers everywhere who grew up with big dreams but now find themselves settling for a solo-trip to Target and a new gratitude journal.
I get it. When I turned 50, I realised I’d been so busy helping other people achieve their dreams that I could no longer identify my own. I tried to bury my resentments in gratitude, but they kept bubbling up.
What about me? What about my dreams? What do I want? I had no idea.
PATHOLOGICALLY GRATEFUL is the story of how I found my voice in perimenopause after a lifetime of people-pleasing and caregiving. In the book, I revisit my past lives: from a farmer’s daughter in Indiana, to a personal assistant in Hollywood. From an expat in Prague, to a mother in Seattle. And finally, from a film festival producer in London, to a writer in France.
How has my identity changed over time? Were any of those voices really mine or was I reading from a script?
Ultimately, my book explores how and when women use their voice: what we say, what we don’t say and the wisdom to know the difference.
About the Title
I’m an overthinker. This title is at the top of a very long list, but I ultimately chose it for a few reasons:
I like that there’s tension between the two words Pathologically and Grateful.
I think it hints at humour and is a little bit provocative.
I wasn’t so sure about the word manifesto. At first, I thought I thought it sounded too self-helpy. But I’ve come around to thinking that manifesto feels inspiring, which I hope the book will be.
In any case - it’s a working title. If I’m lucky enough to get an agent and publisher, they may very well want to change it.
What do you think?
Do you like the (working) title and blurb? I may or may not listen to your opinions, but I’d love to hear them!
Next week, I’ll share my comp titles: published books that are similar (in some way) to my book… or at least to the book I have in my head.
xo, L
As a you know I’m a pathologist, and I can say with confidence it’s a very straightforward diagnosis. Great title
You know I already love the title, but manifesto?! It’s brilliant and perfect for your work!! I can’t wait to read it - in all it’s drafty forms!!